Thats awful broad statement Tom. Ever have an electrician work for you? What about a plummer or a carpenter? Expensive work ain't it. The problem with my trade is that we never formed a union like the others. We've done time studies, we are competitive cost wise as outside shops. The difference is that the job shops pay their employees low wages, the owner pockets the rest. The price of the parts are still the same!!!!!!!!. By the way, I've got the same education as a mechanical engineer, why should I expect a lower wage than other skilled trades?